Interactive systems and methods with feedback devices

ABSTRACT

A wearable device includes a first radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a second RFID tag, one or more feedback devices configured to provide feedback to a guest, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to generate a first control signal that causes a first type of feedback via the one or more feedback devices in response to interaction between electromagnetic radiation having a first frequency and the first RFID tag and to generate a second control signal that causes a second type of feedback via the one or more feedback devices in response to interaction between electromagnetic radiation having a second frequency and the second RFID tag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/617,506, entitled “INTERACTIVE SYSTEMSAND METHODS WITH FEEDBACK DEVICES,” filed Jan. 15, 2018, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to interactive systems andmethods. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relateto interactive systems and methods that utilize a wearable device toprovide feedback to a guest in an amusement park.

BACKGROUND

Amusement parks and/or theme parks may include various entertainmentattractions. Some existing attractions may provide guests with animmersive or interactive experience. For example, guests may visit areashaving various features, such as audio, video, and special effects. Withthe increasing sophistication and complexity of modern attractions, andthe corresponding increase in expectations among amusement park and/ortheme park guests, improved and more creative attractions are needed,including attractions that provide a more interactive and personalizedexperience.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimedsubject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intendedto limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather these embodiments areintended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosedembodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety offorms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forthbelow.

In one embodiment, a wearable device includes a first radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) tag, a second RFID tag, one or more feedbackdevices configured to provide feedback to a guest, and a microcontrollerconfigured to generate a first control signal that causes a first typeof feedback via the one or more feedback devices in response tointeraction between electromagnetic radiation having a first frequencyand the first RFID tag and to generate a second control signal thatcauses a second type of feedback via the one or more feedback devices inresponse to interaction between electromagnetic radiation having asecond frequency and the second RFID tag.

In one embodiment, a system includes a wearable device having a firstradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag with a first memory thatstores respective identification information. The system also includes afirst reader configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation having afirst frequency that enables the first reader to read the respectiveidentification information from the first memory and to write data tothe first memory of the first RFID tag. The system further includes oneor more light emitters supported by the wearable device and amicrocontroller supported by the wearable device. The microcontroller isconfigured to receive at least one of a first signal indicative ofreceipt of the transmitted electromagnetic radiation at the first RFIDtag and a second signal indicative of the data written to the firstmemory, and the microcontroller is configured to generate a controlsignal that causes at least one of the one or more light emitters toilluminate based on the received first signal or the received secondsignal.

In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting electromagneticradiation having a first frequency from a first reader, and transmittingidentification information from a first radio-frequency identification(RFID) tag supported by a wearable device to the first reader inresponse to receipt of the transmitted electromagnetic radiation havingthe first frequency. The method also includes receiving, at amicrocontroller supported by the wearable device, a first signal fromthe first RFID tag that indicates receipt of the electromagneticradiation comprising the first frequency at the first RFID tag. Themethod further includes generating a first control signal, using themicrocontroller, in response to receipt of the first signal at themicrocontroller, wherein the first control signal causes one of aplurality of available types of illumination of one or more lightemitters supported by the wearable device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an interactive system, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing communication between a reader and awearable device that may be used in the interactive system of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing communication between a reader andmultiple wearable devices that may be used in the interactive system ofFIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a team feedback that may be provided by theinteractive system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a wearable device that may be used in theinteractive system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of operating the interactive systemof FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

Amusement parks feature a wide variety of entertainment, such asamusement park rides, performance shows, and games. The different typesof entertainment may include features that enhance a guest's experienceat the amusement park. For example, a game may detect a guest'sinteraction with rendered images that are shown on a display screen.However, some interactive systems may provide a suboptimal experiencedue to a lack of feedback to notify the guest that an interaction issuccessful (e.g., recognized by the interactive system). Furthermore,some interactive systems may not determine an identity of the guest thatinteracted with the interactive element, and thus, may not accurately orefficiently track points or other game statistics for each guest. Thus,it may be desirable to provide systems and methods that provide feedbackto the guest to indicate to the guest that the interactions are actuallydetected by the interactive system and/or that track game statistics foreach guest.

Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods thatutilize radio-frequency identification (RFID) to provide feedback to aguest based on the guest's interactions with an interactive system. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to an interactive systemthat includes one or more RFID readers and multiple wearable deviceseach having one or more RFID tags and one or more feedback devices(e.g., lights) that cooperate to indicate a successful interaction withan interactive element of an attraction. The components of theinteractive system disclosed herein may also facilitate tracking of theguest's interactions and progress (e.g., game statistics) as the guesttravels through the attraction.

As used below, the term “user” may refer to a user of the interactivesystem, and the user may be a guest at an amusement park. By way ofexample, a user may wear or carry the wearable device having the one ormore feedback devices as the user travels through an attraction. Theattraction may have various interactive elements, which may be any of avariety of images or objects (e.g., rendered images, virtual elements,or graphical elements presented on a display screen; physical targets;costumed characters). To experience the attraction, the user mayinteract with the interactive elements, such as by touching a physicaltarget or approaching a costumed character, for example.

One or more RFID readers of the interactive system may be positioned atvarious locations about the attraction and/or proximate to certaininteractive elements. In operation, the one or more RFID readerscommunicate with the one or more RFID tags within the wearable device ofthe user. The communication between the one or more RFID readers and theone or more RFID tags may trigger a feedback response via the one ormore feedback devices (e.g., illuminate a light) of the wearable device,thereby providing feedback to notify the user that the interactivesystem has detected the user within the attraction and/or has detectedthe user's interaction with an interactive element, for example. Thecommunication between the one or more RFID readers and the one or moreRFID tags may also enable the interactive system to track the user'sprogress (e.g., game statistics) as the user travels through theattraction. For example, the interactive system may detect and keeptrack of the number of targets contacted by the user and/or the numberof costumed characters met by the user.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the interactive system may providefeedback indicative of the user's status (e.g., level within the game)via the one or more feedback devices of the wearable device. Forexample, upon reaching a certain number of points or an advanced levelin the game, the one or more RFID readers may write data to the one ormore RFID tags within the wearable device that trigger a feedbackresponse via the one or more feedback devices (e.g., illuminate multiplelights). Thus, the interactive system may provide substantiallyimmediate feedback when the user interacts with interactive elements ofthe attraction and/or when the user reaches certain levels (e.g.,milestones or achievements). Furthermore, the interactive system mayenable the user to receive such feedback without the need to refer toexternal devices, such as a mobile phone or kiosk, thereby providing amore immersive and enjoyable experience.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of aninteractive system 10 including a reader system 12 (e.g.,radio-frequency identification [RFID] reader system) and a wearabledevice 14. In one embodiment, the wearable device 14 is a wearable orportable device, such as a bracelet, necklace, charm, pin, or toy thatmay be worn or carried by a user as the user travels through anattraction. As discussed in more detail below, the reader system 12 iscapable of communicating with the wearable device 14 throughelectromagnetic radiation, and the communication enables tracking of theuser's progress through the attraction (e.g., number of rides completed,areas visited, interactive elements contacted, costumed characters met,virtual achievements won). The communication also enables the wearabledevice 14 to provide feedback indicative of the progress and/or variousinteractions to the user through a feedback response (e.g. light, sound,or haptics) output by the wearable device 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the reader system 12includes a first reader 16 and a second reader 18 that arecommunicatively coupled to a computing system 20 (having a memory 54 anda processor 56) that accesses information stored in one or moredatabases 22 (e.g., cloud-based storage system.) Generally, the firstreader 16 and the second reader 18 transmit electromagnetic radiation(e.g., signals) to the wearable device 14. In one embodiment, the firstreader 16 transmits signals 24 of one frequency (e.g., range) and thesecond reader 18 transmits signals 26 of another frequency (e.g., range)that is different from the first frequency. In addition to transmittingsignals 24, 26, the first reader 16 and the second reader 18 can receivesignals, such as signals returned from the wearable device 14 andsignals from the computing system 20. In one embodiment, the computingsystem 20 instructs the readers (e.g., the first reader 16 and thesecond reader 18) to send signals 24, 26 to the wearable device 14 basedon information stored in data encoded in the one or more databases 22.Thus, it should be appreciated that the first reader 16 and the secondreader 18 may be transceivers that are capable of both sending andreceiving signals.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the wearable device 14includes a first RFID tag 28, a second RFID tag 30, a microcontroller32, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, 34 d, andpower circuitry 36 that cooperate to enable the wearable device 14 ofthe interactive system 10 to function as disclosed. As illustrated, thewearable device 14 has four LEDs 34; however, it should be appreciatedthat the wearable device 14 may have fewer or more LEDs 34. The firstRFID tag 28 and the second RFID tag 30 each include an antenna 38 thattransmits and receives signals, a memory 40 storing information (e.g.,unique identification code), a microchip 42, and an integrated circuit44 to power the microchip 42. Additionally, the integrated circuit 44powers the power circuitry 36, which provides power to themicrocontroller 32. In one embodiment, the power circuitry 36 mayinclude an energy storage device (e.g., capacitor, super capacitor, orbattery) configured to store power. As shown, the microcontroller 32 ofthe wearable device 14 includes a memory 46 and a processor 48. Thememory 46 stores computer-readable instructions that are executed by theprocessor 48 to control operation of the microcontroller 32.

In general, the antennae 38 of the first RFID tag 28 is designed toreceive signals 24 from the first reader 16, and the antenna 28 of thesecond RFID tag 30 is designed to receive signals 26 from the secondreader 18 of the reader system 12. The microcontroller 32 identifiesinteractions between the tags 28, 30 and the readers 16, 18 and sendssignals (e.g., control signals) to one or more of the LEDs 34 to providefeedback to the user. In one embodiment, the wearable device 14 of theinteractive system 10 may contain additional or alternative feedbackdevices, such as audio devices configured to emit sound or hapticsconfigured to provide a tactile output (e.g., vibration). Additionallyor alternatively, backscatter indicative of a unique identification codeis emitted by the first RFID tag 28 and/or the second RFID tag 30, andthe backscatter is utilized by the computing system to track the user'sprogress (e.g., game statistics) as the user travels through theattraction.

More particularly, the first reader 16 of the reader system 12continuously transmits signals 24. The antenna 38 of the first RFID tag28 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation (e.g., signals 24)from the first reader 16, as well as transmit signals 50 to the firstreader 16. The integrated circuit 44 converts the electromagneticradiation received by the antenna 38 into electricity to provide powerto the microchip 42, which generates a backscatter (e.g., signal 50).The backscatter contains information (e.g., unique identification code)stored in the memory 40 of the first RFID tag 28. The backscatter (e.g.,signal 50) is received by the first reader 16, which may send a signalto the computing system 20. The computing system 20 may process thesignal to determine the identity of the user associated with thewearable device 14 (e.g., the user may register the wearable device 14to associate the wearable device 14 with the user prior to experiencingthe attraction) and/or to update information (e.g., game statistics) forthe wearable device 14 in the one or more databases 22. In this manner,the interactive system 10 may track the user's progress (e.g., gamestatistics) as the user travels through the attraction.

Furthermore, once power is supplied to the microcontroller 32, theprocessor 48 of the microcontroller 32 may also receive and process asignal from the first RFID tag 28 that indicates that the signal 24 fromthe first reader 16 was received at the first RFID tag 28. The processor48 of the microcontroller 32 may then execute instructions stored on thememory 46 of the microcontroller 32 to illuminate one or more of theLEDs 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, 34 d to provide feedback to the user. In oneembodiment, the microcontroller 32 may be programmed to provide acertain type of illumination (e.g., number of lights, color, blinkingpattern, length of time) in response to the signal that indicates thatthe signal 24 from the first reader 16 was received at the first RFIDtag 28. For example, when the first RFID tag 28 receives the signal 24from the first RFID reader 16, the microcontroller 32 may cause a firstLED 34 a to illuminate. In one embodiment, the signals 24 transmitted bythe first reader 16 are ultra-high frequency (UHF) signals (e.g., havinga frequency between approximately 300 megahertz and 3 gigahertz). Assuch, the first RFID tag 28 may receive signals 24 from the first reader16 when the first RFID tag 28 is located a relatively far distance(e.g., up to approximately 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more meters) away fromthe first reader 16.

Additionally, the second reader 18 may continuously transmit signals 26.The antenna 38 of the second RFID tag 30 is configured to receiveelectromagnetic radiation (e.g., signals 26) from the second reader 18.The integrated circuit 44 converts the radiation received by the antenna38 into electricity to provide power to the microchip 42, whichgenerates a backscatter (e.g., signal 52). The backscatter containsinformation (e.g., unique identification code) stored in the memory 40of the second RFID tag 30. It should be appreciated that in someembodiments, the information stored in the respective memories 40 of thefirst RFID tag 28 and the second RFID tag 30 may be linked (e.g., thebackscatter generated in response to receipt of the signals 26 at thesecond RFID tag 30 may contain the information stored in the memory 40of the first RFID tag 28), or the first RFID tag 28 and the second RFIDtag 30 may share one memory 40 (e.g., be a dual RFID tag capable ofreceiving different frequency signals). The backscatter (e.g., signal52) is received by the second reader 18, which may send a signal to thecomputing system 20. The computing system 20 may process the signal todetermine the identity of the user associated with the wearable device14 and/or to update information (e.g., game statistics) for the wearabledevice 14 in the one or more databases 22. Because the first RFID reader16 may be associated with a particular area (e.g., room) of theattraction and the second RFID reader 18 may be associated with aparticular interactive element (e.g., target) of the attraction, thecomputing system 20 may track both the general location of the user, aswell as the user's interactions with the interactive elements. In thismanner, the interactive system 10 may track the user's progress (e.g.,game statistics) as the user travels through the attraction.

Furthermore, once power is supplied to the microcontroller 32, theprocessor 48 of the microcontroller 32 may also receive and process asignal from the second RFID tag 30 that indicates that the signal 26from the second reader 18 was received at the second RFID tag 30. Theprocessor 48 of the microcontroller 32 may then execute instructionsstored on the memory 46 of the microcontroller 32 to illuminate one ormore of the LEDs 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, 34 d to provide feedback to the user.In one embodiment, the microcontroller 32 may be programmed to provide acertain type of illumination (e.g., number of lights, color, blinkingpattern, length of time) in response to the signal that indicates thatthe signal 26 from the second reader 18 was received at the second RFIDtag 30. For example, when the second RFID tag 30 receives the signal 26from the second RFID reader 18, the microcontroller 32 may cause asecond LED 34 b to illuminate. In one embodiment, the signals 26transmitted by the second reader 16 are near-field communication (NFC)signals (e.g., having a frequency between approximately 10 to 20megahertz). As such, the second RFID tag 30 may receive signals 26 fromthe second reader 18 when the second RFID tag 30 is within a relativelyshort distance (e.g., approximately 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 centimeters) of thefirst reader 16. Because the first RFID reader 16 may be associated witha particular area (e.g., room) of the attraction and the second RFIDreader 18 may be associated with a particular interactive element (e.g.,target) of the attraction, the illumination (or other feedback, such asaudio or haptics) on the wearable device 14 may provide multiple typesof feedback to the user. For example, illumination of the first LED 34 ain response to receipt of the signals 24 from the first RFID reader 16may notify the user that the interactive system 10 has detected the userwithin the particular area of the attraction, while illumination of thesecond LED 34 b in response to receipt of the signals 26 from the secondRFID reader 18 may notify the user that the interactive system 10 hasdetected the user's interaction with the particular interactive element.

In general, the second reader 18 operates similarly to the first reader16; however, the first reader 16 communicates with the first RFID tag 28(and not the second RFID tag 30), while the second reader 18communicates with the second RFID tag 30 (and not the first RFID tag28). The wearable device 14 includes at least two RFID tags 28, 30 thatare each configured to communicate with respective readers 16, 18 thattransmit signals 24, 26 that travel different distances. The first RFIDtag 28 and the first reader 16 that communicate over a relatively longdistance enable tracking a general location of the wearable device 14and charging the wearable device 14, while the second RFID tag 30 andthe second reader 18 that communicate over a relatively short distanceenable monitoring interactions based on a contact (or close proximity)between the user and interactive elements in the attraction.

In one embodiment, the interactive system 10 may include multiple firstreaders 16 at different locations within an attraction. As a user movesthrough the attraction, the user's location is updated in the database22 based on which first reader 16 is currently communicating with thewearable device 14. In one embodiment, feedback may be provided to theuser based on each interaction with each one of the first readers 16.For example, one first reader 16 may be positioned at an entrance of theattraction, and another first reader 16 may be positioned in a room orarea of the attraction. In this case, the wearable device 14 providesfeedback (e.g., illumination of the first LED 34 a) upon the userentering the attraction, thereby notifying the user that they have beendetected by the interactive system 10. Then, once the user enters theroom or area, the wearable device 14 provides another feedback (e.g.,the same feedback or a different feedback, such as illumination of thesecond LED 34 b), thereby notifying the user that they have beendetected by the interactive system 10 as being within the new area.

In one embodiment, one or more first readers 16 and one or more secondreaders 18 may cooperate to improve the user's immersive experience. Forexample, the user may enter an area containing one or more first readers16. The area may include one or more targets each associated with orproximate to one or more second readers 18. As discussed above, once thewearable device 14 is within a range (e.g., a relatively long range) ofone first reader 16 in the area, the wearable device 14 communicateswith the one first reader 16, the database 22 is updated, and thewearable device 14 may provide feedback to the user that they have beendetected within the area. Additionally, once the wearable device 14 iswithin a range (e.g., a relatively short range) of one second reader 18(e.g., due to the user hitting, touching, or walking by the targetassociated with the one second reader 18), the wearable device 14communicates with the one second reader 18, the database 22 is updated,and the wearable device 14 may provide feedback to the user that theyhave successfully interacted with the target (e.g., points have beenassigned).

As discussed above, the microcontroller 32 may be programmed to providesome feedback to the user based on interactions between the RFID tags28, 30 of the wearable device 14 and the readers 16, 18. Additionally oralternatively, the memory 40 of the wearable device 14 may be updated(e.g., one or more of the readers 16, 18 may write to the memory 40 ofone or more RFID tags 28, 30), thereby enabling the wearable device 14to provide other feedback, such as feedback indicative of the user'sprogress (e.g., level within a game), wait times, or the like. Forexample, upon detecting the user's first interaction with the secondreader 18, the computing system 20 may instruct the first reader 16 towrite data to the respective memory 40 of the first RFID tag 28 thatcause the microcontroller 32 (e.g., when received and processed by themicrocontroller 32) to illuminate the first LED 34 a. However, upondetermining that the user has completed a predetermined number ofsuccessful interactions with targets (e.g., based on communicationsbetween the second RFID tag 30 and the second readers 18 associated withthe targets), the computing system 20 may instruct the first reader 16to write data to the respective memory 40 of the first RFID tag 28 thatcause the microcontroller 32 to illuminate multiple LEDs (e.g., LEDs 34a-d, or any combination thereof) and/or trigger a feedback response viaa speaker or haptics. Thus, feedback is provided based on informationstored in the database 22. For example, the database 22 may containinformation about the user's progress based on their interactions withone or more first readers 16 and second readers 18 throughout theattraction, and the feedback may be provided once certain conditions aremet (e.g., level or points achieved). In this way, the wearable device14 may provide feedback indicative of the user's overall progress orperformance.

In one embodiment, the user may prompt or request the feedback byentering a particular area (e.g., a status update area) having one ormore first readers 16. Communication between one of these first readers16 and the first RFID tag 28 of the wearable device 14 may cause thecomputing system 20 to instruct the first reader 16 to write the data tothe respective memory 40 of the first RFID tag 28 to provide thefeedback indicative of the user's progress. In one embodiment, the usermay receive such feedback indicative of the user's progress each timethe first RFID tag 28 communicates with one first reader 16 and/or onesecond reader 18. Thus, the user may be repeatedly updated regarding theprogress as the user travels through the attraction.

In one embodiment, the LEDs 34 a-d may be used to provide an indicationof a wait time for an attraction. For example, upon detecting that theuser is approaching the attraction (e.g., based on communicationsbetween the first RFID tag 28 and the first reader 16 proximate to anentrance of the attraction), the computing system 20 may instruct thefirst reader 16 to write data to the respective memory 40 of the firstRFID tag 28 that cause the microcontroller 32 (e.g., when received andprocessed by the microcontroller 32) to illuminate the LEDs 34 a-d in amanner that conveys the wait time or whether a certain wait timethreshold is met. For example, at least one LED 34 may be multi-colored(e.g., configured to emit red, yellow, and green light), and each colorindicates an approximate wait time (e.g., a first color indicates a waittime greater than 15 minutes, a second color indicates a wait time lessthan 5 minutes, and a third color indicates no wait). Because multiplefirst readers 16 may be located throughout the attraction or amusementpark, the user may continue to receive feedback about the wait time(e.g., because other first readers 16 may write data to the respectivememory 40 of the first RFID tag 28) even after the user moves out of therange of the first reader 16 that is proximate to the entrance of theattraction. In one embodiment, each LED 34 may represent an approximatewait time (e.g., 5, 10, 15 minutes), such that the number of LEDs 34illuminated provides an indication of the wait time (e.g., four LED'sindicates a wait time of 60 minutes or more, three LED's indicates await time of 45 minutes or more, two LED's indicates a wait time of 30minutes or more, and one LED indicates a wait time of 15 minutes ormore). In one embodiment, the LEDs 34 may represent a countdown timer.For example, upon detecting that the user is approaching the attraction,all LEDs 34 a-d are initially illuminated and then are sequentiallyturned off as the countdown timer runs out.

As noted above, in one embodiment, the antenna 38 of the first RFID tag28 may only receive UHF waves, while the antenna 38 of the second RFIDtag 30 may only receive NFC waves. For example, the first RFID tag 28may only communicate (e.g., receive or transmit) with UHF waves, and thesecond RFID tag 30 may only communicate with NFC waves. As UHF signalstravel a longer distance, the first RFID tag 28 may frequently orcontinuously receive the UHF signals emitted by the first readers 16 asthe user travels through the attraction, but the second RFID tag 30 mayonly receive the NFC signals emitted by the second readers 18 when theuser positions the wearable device 14 close to the second readers 18.Thus, in one embodiment, the UHF signal may be used for powering orcharging the wearable device 14 (e.g., via power harvesting by theintegrated circuit 44 and power circuitry 36). However, the NFC signalmay also be used for powering or charging the wearable device 14 in asimilar manner.

It should be appreciated that the interactive system 10 may trackmultiple users and provide feedback on multiple wearable devices 14. Forexample, multiple users may each wear a respective wearable device 14that is configured to communicate with multiple first readers 16 andsecond readers 18 disposed in different locations within the attraction.It should also be appreciated that in one embodiment, the wearabledevice 14 of the interactive system 10 may include a single RFID tag(e.g., a dual-frequency RFID tag) that is capable of communicating withsignals of a first frequency (e.g., a range of frequencies) and signalsof a second frequency (e.g., another range of frequencies) to facilitatethe techniques disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of the interactive system10. As illustrated, the interactive system 10 includes two first readers16 a and 16 b, the second reader 18 disposed within or proximate to atarget 58, and the wearable device 14 worn by a user 60. The firstreaders 16 a and 16 b and the second reader 18 are communicativelycoupled to the computing system 20 and the database 22. The first reader16 a continuously emits a signal 24 a that may be received by the firstRFID tag 28 of the wearable device 14 within a first area 62 a (e.g.,zone or room of an attraction), and similarly, the first reader 16 bcontinuously emits a signal 24 b that may be received by the first RFIDtag 28 of the wearable device 14 within a second area 62 b once the user60 travels into the second area 62 b. As such, depending on the locationof the user 60, the wearable device 14 may communicate (e.g., receivesignals/electromagnetic radiation, backscatter information) with one orboth of the first reader 16 a in the first area 62 a or the first reader16 b in the second area 62 b. Based on which first reader (e.g., 16 a or16 b) communicates with the wearable device 14, the computing system 20determines the location of the user 60 and updates the database 22 withdata indicative of the location of the user 60. Additionally, as thewearable device 14 of the user 60 communicates with the first reader 16a or the first reader 16 b, power is harvested and provided to themicrocontroller 32. Thus, the microcontroller 32 begins to processsignals received from the first RFID tag 28 and/or read data written tothe memory 40 of the first RFID tag 28. For example, the microcontroller32 may receive a signal from the first RFID tag 28 that indicates thatthe first RFID tag 28 has communicated with one of the first readers 16and may provide a corresponding feedback response (e.g., illuminate oneor more LEDs). As noted above, the first RFID tag 28 may receive asignal from the first reader 16 that writes data to the memory 40 of thefirst RFID tag 28 that causes the microcontroller 32 to provide aparticular feedback response.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second reader 18 is disposed within or proximateto the target 58. The target 58 may be any variety of objects orfeatures within the attraction. In one embodiment, the target 58 is astationary physical object; however, the target 58 may be a virtualobject (e.g., image, virtual element, graphical element on a displayscreen) or a movable object, such as a costumed character travelingabout the attraction. The second reader 18 emits the signal 26 that isreceivable within an area 64. In operation, when the user 60 brings thewearable device 14 within the area 64, the wearable device 14 is incommunication with the second reader 18. As a result, the second RFIDtag 30 of the wearable device 14 emits a backscatter that includesinformation that identifies the user. The second reader 18 sends thisinformation to the computing system 20 to indicate that the user 60 hasbeen detected by the second reader 18, and thus, has interacted with thetarget 58. Furthermore, the microcontroller 32 may receive a signal fromthe second RFID tag 30 that indicates that the second RFID tag 30 hascommunicated with the second reader 18 and may provide a correspondingfeedback response (e.g., illuminate one or more LEDs).

It should be appreciated that the microcontroller 32 may be configuredto generate a first control signal that causes a first feedback responsein response to receipt of a signal from the first RFID tag 28 thatindicates that the first RFID tag 28 has communicated with one of thefirst readers 16, to generate a second control signal that causes asecond feedback response in response to receipt of a signal from thesecond RFID tag 30 that indicates that the second RFID tag 30 hascommunicated with the second reader 18, and to generate a third controlsignal that causes a third feedback response in response to receipt ofsignals that indicate that both the first RFID tag 28 and the secondRFID tag 30 have communicated with respective readers (i.e., the firstreader 16 and the second reader 18). The first, second, and thirdfeedback responses may be different types of feedback responses, such asa type of illumination (e.g., number of lights, color, blinking pattern,length of time), a type of sound (e.g., volume, tone, beep pattern,length of time), or a type of haptics (e.g., intensity, length of time).

At certain times, the user 60 may not be in either area 62 a or 62 b,and thus, may not receive signals 24 a and 24 b from the first readers16 a and 16 b. In one embodiment, the wearable device 14 may utilizepower stored in the power circuitry 36 to continue to provide power(e.g., for 5, 15, 30, 60 or more seconds) even while outside of theareas 62 a and 62 b. Accordingly, the wearable device 14 may providefeedback (e.g., illuminate LEDs to indicate progress, wait time, or thelike) even while the user is outside of the areas 62 a and 62 b, therebyproviding more time for the user to observe the feedback response. Inone embodiment, the feedback response (e.g., illumination of the LEDs)may stop when the user 60 leaves the area 62 a defined by the signals 24a emitted from the first reader 16 a.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of the interactive system 10including a first user 60 a, a second user 60 b, the second reader 18disposed within or proximate to the target 58, and the first reader 16.The second reader 18 and the first reader 16 are communicatively coupledto the computing system 20 and the database 22. Additionally, the secondreader 18 is emitting the signal 26 across the area 64. The first user60 a is wearing a first wearable device 14 a including one or more LEDs34, and the second user 60 b is a wearing a second wearable device 14 bincluding one or more LEDs 34. In one embodiment, the second reader 18has a relatively small communication range, and thus, communicates withthe wearable device 14 when the user makes physical contact with thetarget 58 containing the second reader 18 or when the wearable device 14is otherwise brought within the area 64. Further, the first reader 16has a relatively long communication range, and thus, is continuouslycommunicating with the wearable devices 14 a and 14 b throughelectromagnetic radiation.

In operation, when the first user 60 a makes contact with (e.g., touchesor hits) the target 58 containing the second reader 18, the wearabledevice 14 provides feedback 66 through the illumination of the one ormore LEDs 34. More specifically, the contact the first user 60 a makeswith the second reader 18 brings the first wearable device 14 a(specifically, the second RFID tag 30 of the first wearable device 14 a)within the range of the second reader 18. Because the second user 60 bis at a distance 68 outside of the range of the second reader 18, thesecond user 60 b does not receive feedback from the one or more LEDs 34of the second wearable device 14 b. In an embodiment, both the firstuser 60 a and the second user 60 b might both be within the range of thesecond reader 18 (e.g., by simultaneously contacting the target 58). Insuch cases, the LEDs 34 from both the first wearable device 14 and thesecond wearable device 14 b would elicit a suitable feedback.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the interactive system 10 illustrating ateam feedback (e.g., feedback to multiple users that are designated orassigned to a team). As illustrated in FIG. 4, there is a first user 60a, a second user 60 b, a third user 60 c, the second reader 18, and thefirst reader 16. The second reader 18 and the first reader 16 areelectronically coupled to the computing system 20 and the database 22.The first user 60 a, the second user 60 b, and the third user 60 c havea first wearable device 14 a, a second wearable device 14 b, and a thirdwearable device 14 c, respectively, which each have one or more LEDs 34.The first user 60 a and the third user 60 c are part of a team, and assuch, may wear a team indicator 70 that distinguishes the first user 60a and the third user 60 c from the second user 60 b. In one embodiment,the team indicator may be a physical characteristic of the wearabledevice 14 (e.g., color, shape, pattern). In one embodiment, the team maybe created or determined by the computing system 20 based on informationstored in the database 22 (e.g., a family or other users linked togetherby characteristics, such as last name, age, group entering theattraction at the same time, game level; characteristics of the wearabledevices 14; requests for team selection or assignment input by users).As such, the first user 60 a and the third user 60 c are on a first team(e.g., team A), and the second user is on a second team (e.g., team B).

As shown in FIG. 4, the first wearable device 14 a worn by the firstuser 60 a is within the area 64 to interact with the signal 26 emittedby the second reader 18. The second reader 18 receives information fromthe memory 40 of the second RFID tag 30 of the first wearable device 14a from the backscatter, as discussed above. The information is sent tothe computing system 20, which then identifies the first user 60 a basedon the information. Additionally, based on the information stored in thedatabase 22, the computing system 20 determines that the first user 60 ais on team A. As a result, the computing system 20 sends a signal (e.g.,control signal) instructing the first reader 16 to send electromagneticradiation to the wearable devices 14 a, 14 c of the first and thirdusers 60 a, 60 c, to write data to the memory 40 of the respective firstRFID tags 28. The respective microcontroller 32 of each of the wearabledevices 14 a, 14 c reads the data written to the memory 40 of therespective first RFID tags 28. The updated memory 40 includes data that,when read by the microcontroller 32, causes the microcontroller 32 toinitiate a particular feedback response.

As illustrated, the feedback response is provided via illumination ofthe LEDs 34 of the first wearable device 14 a and the third wearabledevice 14 c. Thus, a single interaction between one user (e.g., thefirst user 60 a) and the target 58 can result in all users on a teamreceiving feedback due to the interaction. In one embodiment, users ofthe same team may be in a different zone (e.g., not receiving signalsfrom the same first reader 16) but may still receive feedback as allfirst readers 16 may be communicatively coupled to a computing system20. In one embodiment, the feedback is only provided to users receivingsignals 24 from the same readers 16. In one embodiment, all users of thesame team regardless of which first reader 16 they are receiving thesignal 24 from, receive the feedback.

FIG. 5 shows an illustration of the wearable device 14, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present techniques. While the wearable device14 is shown with a lanyard 71 (e.g., rope or string) coupled to ahousing 73, it should be appreciated that the wearable device 14 mayhave any suitable form. For example, the wearable device 14 may includea strap (e.g., to secure the housing 73 to a wrist of the user), or thewearable device 14 may be a charm or toy that is carried by the user. Asshown, the wearable device 14 includes a first LED display 72, a secondLED display 74, an audio device 76 (e.g., speaker), and haptics 78(e.g., vibration device). Any combination of the LEDs 34, haptics 78,audio device 76, or other feedback devices might be activated to providefeedback to a user. It should be appreciated that the wearable device 14may include only one of these feedback devices or any combination ofthese feedback devices.

As shown, the wearable device 14 may include multiple LED displays(e.g., the first LED display 72 and the second LED display 74), and eachLED display may provide various types of feedback. For example, thefirst LED display 72 may provide feedback indicative of interactionswith the one or more first readers 16 and/or the one or more secondreaders 18, while the second LED display 72 may provide feedbackindicative of a wait time for an attraction. As illustrated in FIG. 5,the first LED display 72 and the second LED 74 display each includethree LEDs (34 a-c and 34 d-f, respectively). In one embodiment, thewearable device 14 may include any number of LED displays with anynumber of LEDs (e.g., 1, 2, or more than 2 LED displays containing oneor multiple LEDs). In one embodiment, a single LED display (e.g., theLED display 72) may provide some or all of the various types of feedbackdisclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process 80 foroperating the wearable device 14, in accordance with present techniques.It is to be understood that the steps discussed herein are merelyexemplary, and certain steps may be omitted or added, and the steps maybe performed in a different order. In one embodiment, the process 80 maybe executed by the first RFID tag 28 and/or the second RFID tag 30 incooperation with the microcontroller 32 of the wearable device 14.

The process 80 begins with the antenna 38 of the first RFID tag 28and/or the second RFID tag 30 receiving electromagnetic radiation from arespective first reader 16 or second reader 18 (block 82). As discussedabove, after the antenna 38 receives electromagnetic radiation, theantenna 38 returns a backscatter with information stored within thememory 40 of the RFID tag 28, 30 to the respective reader 16, 18. In oneembodiment, this information may include an identification number thatis specific to the wearable device 14, and thus, identifies a user(e.g., user using the wearable device 14). In one embodiment, theelectromagnetic radiation emitted by the first reader 16 travels arelatively long distance, and the electromagnetic radiation emitted bythe second reader 18 travels a relatively short distance. The first RFIDtag 28 is capable of communicating with the first reader 16, and thesecond RFID tag 30 is capable of communicating with the second reader18.

Once the wearable device 14 has received electromagnetic radiation, thewearable device 14 harvests power (block 84) from the electromagneticradiation. As discussed above, the first RFID tag 28 and the second RFIDtag 30 may each include an integrated circuit 44 that powers themicrochip 42. Additionally, the integrated circuit 44 powers the powercircuitry 36, which provides power to the microcontroller 32 (block 86)and other components of the wearable device (e.g., feedback devices). Inone embodiment, the power circuitry 36 may include an energy storagedevice (e.g., capacitor, super capacitor, or battery) that iselectrically coupled to a receiver coil and that stores power upon thewearable device 14 receiving signals from the first reader 16 and/or thesecond reader 18.

Once the microcontroller 32 is powered, the processor 48 executes thecommand stored in the memory 46 to receive and/or process signals fromthe first RFID tag 28 and/or second RFID tag 30 (block 88). In oneembodiment, the microcontroller 32 may be programmed to continually orperiodically query the first RFID tag 28 and/or the second RFID tag 30when powered.

The microcontroller 32 then outputs a signal (e.g., control signal) toone or more feedback devices (block 90.) In one embodiment, the controlsignal may result in one or more of the LEDs 34 and/or other feedbackdevices (e.g., audio devices, haptics) being activated. In oneembodiment, the control signal is a variable voltage applied to one LED34, which results in a change in the intensity of the LED 34. In oneembodiment, the signal is an oscillating voltage signal that results inthe LED 34 blinking.

The feedback devices (e.g., LEDs, haptics, audio device) provide afeedback response to the user (block 92). The feedback response may beprovided in response to interactions between the wearable device 14 andthe reader systems 12 disposed in the attraction. For example, afeedback response may include lighting up one LED 34 to notify a userthat they have entered a zone of the first reader 16 (e.g., the user'swearable device 14 is successfully communicating with the first reader16) or successfully interacted with an interactive element, such as thetarget 58.

As noted above, the memory 40 of the first RFID tag 28 and/or the secondRFID tag 30 may be written to by the first reader 16 and/or the secondreader 18. Accordingly, the user may receive a feedback response uponachieving a goal based on information tracked in the database 22 (e.g.,leveling up, reaching a high score). In one embodiment, a feedbackresponse may result from a different user successfully achieving a goal(e.g., if the users are on the same team). In one embodiment, a feedbackresponse may include one or more LEDs 34 that indicate a time (e.g., await time or a remaining time in an area of the attraction). In oneembodiment, a feedback response may include a sound from an audio device76 of the wearable device 14 to indicate that the user needs to performan action (e.g., begin a race, move to the next zone, participate in agame, etc.) In one embodiment, an increasing volume of sound from theaudio device 76, intensity of LED illumination, or intensity of haptic78 might indicate progression toward a goal in the attraction, forexample.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to an interactive systemhaving a reader system and a wearable device that emits a feedbackresponse based on the communication between RFID tags of the wearabledevice and readers of the reader system. More specifically, the readersystem includes readers (e.g., one or more first readers 16 and one ormore second readers 18) that, in operation, communicate (e.g., transmitand receive signals) with a first RFID and a second RFID of a wearabledevice through electromagnetic radiation. The readers continuously emitelectromagnetic radiation within a range (e.g., communication range),and upon the wearable device entering that range, the readerscommunicate with the wearable device. For example, one reader (e.g., thefirst reader) may have a communication range that is larger than thecommunication range of another reader (e.g., the second reader). Assuch, the first reader generally communicates with the first RFID of thewearable device more often and/or at different times than the secondreader communicates with the second RFID. A reader that communicateswith a RFID tag more regularly, or for longer periods of time, may bemore suitable for powering a power harvesting device, and thus, enablingfeedback devices (e.g., audio devices, haptics, one or more LEDS) to beincluded in the wearable device that may need more power to operate. Inone embodiment, the RFID readers are disposed in stationary targets thatguests can interact (e.g., touch or hit). In one embodiment, the RFIDreaders are disposed in moveable targets (e.g., disposed within thecostume of a character at an amusement park). While the embodimentsdisclosed herein include two RFID readers having two differentcommunication ranges, it should be appreciated that any number ofreaders (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more readers) configured to have anynumber of different communication ranges (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or moredifferent communication ranges) may be provided within the system.Furthermore, the wearable device may include any number of RFID tags(e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more RFID tags) configured to communicate withthe various readers to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

While only certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the disclosure. It should be appreciated thatany of the features illustrated or described with respect to FIGS. 1-6may be combined in any suitable manner.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and appliedto material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature thatdemonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are notabstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claimsappended to the end of this specification contain one or more elementsdesignated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for[perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements areto be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claimscontaining elements designated in any other manner, it is intended thatsuch elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wearable device comprising: a firstradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag; a second RFID tag; one ormore feedback devices configured to provide feedback to a user; and amicrocontroller configured to: generate a control signal that causes atype of feedback indicative of the wearable device being within an areaof an attraction via the one or more feedback devices in response tointeraction between electromagnetic radiation having a first frequencyand the first RFID tag; and generate an additional control signal thatcauses an additional type of feedback indicative of a user interactionwith an interactive element within the area via the one or more feedbackdevices in response to interaction between electromagnetic radiationhaving a second frequency and the second RFID tag while the first RFIDtag is interacting with the electromagnetic radiation having the firstfrequency.
 2. The wearable device of claim 1, comprising a powerharvesting circuit configured to harness power from the electromagneticradiation having the first frequency, the electromagnetic radiationhaving the second frequency, or both.
 3. The wearable device of claim 2,comprising an energy storage device configured to store the harnessedpower.
 4. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the one or morefeedback devices comprise a speaker, the type of feedback comprises afirst type of audible output, and the additional type of feedbackcomprises a second type of audible output.
 5. The wearable device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more feedback devices comprise a hapticfeedback device, the type of feedback comprises a first type of tactileoutput, and the additional type of feedback comprises a second type oftactile output.
 6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the one ormore feedback devices comprise one or more light emitters configured toemit light, the type of feedback comprises a first type of illumination,and the additional type of feedback comprises a second type ofillumination.
 7. The wearable device of claim 6, wherein the first typeof illumination comprises illuminating a first light emitter of the oneor more light emitters, and the second type of illumination comprisesilluminating a second light emitter of the one or more light emitters.8. The wearable device of claim 6, wherein the first type ofillumination comprises a first color, and the second type ofillumination comprises a second color, different from the first color.9. The wearable device of claim 6, wherein the first type ofillumination comprises illuminating at least one of the one or morelight emitters continuously over time, and the second type ofillumination comprises illuminating at least one of the one or morelight emitters intermittently to blink over time.
 10. The wearabledevice of claim 1, wherein the first RFID tag is configured to receiveultra-high frequency (UHF) electromagnetic radiation and the second RFIDtag is configured to receive near-field communication (NFC)electromagnetic radiation.
 11. The wearable device of claim 1, whereinthe first RFID tag is a read/write RFID tag, and the microcontroller isconfigured to generate another control signal that causes another typeof feedback via the one or more feedback devices in response to databeing written to the first RFID tag.
 12. The system of claim 1, whereinthe microcontroller is configured to generate another control signalthat causes another type of feedback indicative of a total number ofuser interactions with the interactive element and other interactiveelements within the attraction in response to interaction between theelectromagnetic radiation having the first frequency and the first RFIDtag, interaction between the electromagnetic radiation having the secondfrequency and the second RFID tag, or both.
 13. A system, comprising: awearable device comprising a first radio-frequency identification (RFID)tag comprising a first memory that stores first identificationinformation; a first reader associated with an area of an attraction andconfigured to transmit electromagnetic radiation comprising a firstfrequency that enables the first reader to read the first identificationinformation from the first memory; a second RFID tag supported by thewearable device and comprising a second memory that stores secondidentification information; a second reader associated with aninteractive element within the area of the attraction and configured totransmit electromagnetic radiation comprising a second frequency thatenables the second reader to read the second identification informationfrom the second memory; one or more light emitters supported by thewearable device; and a microcontroller supported by the wearable deviceand configured to: receive a signal indicative of receipt of thetransmitted electromagnetic radiation comprising the first frequency atthe first RFID tag; receive an additional signal indicative of receiptof the transmitted electromagnetic radiation comprising the secondfrequency at the second RFID tag; generate a control signal that causesa type of illumination of the one or more light emitters in response toreceipt of the signal, wherein the type of illumination of the one ormore light emitters is indicative of the wearable device being withinthe area of the attraction; and generate an additional control signalthat causes an additional type of illumination of the one or more lightemitters in response to receipt of the additional signal while receivingthe signal, wherein the additional type of illumination of the one ormore light emitters is indicative of a user interaction with theinteractive element within the area.
 14. The system of claim 13,comprising a power harvesting circuit of the wearable device, whereinthe power harvesting circuit is configured to harness power from thetransmitted electromagnetic radiation comprising the first frequency,the transmitted electromagnetic radiation comprising the secondfrequency, or both, and wherein the one or more light emitters and themicrocontroller are configured to utilize the power.
 15. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the first reader is configured to write dataindicative of a wait time for a ride of an amusement park to the firstmemory of the first RFID tag, and the control signal causes the at leastone of the one or more light emitters to illuminate in a pattern thatindicates the wait time.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the secondreader is disposed within or proximate to the interactive element, andwherein the first reader is disposed in a different location separatefrom the interactive element.
 17. The system of claim 13, comprising: aplurality of additional second readers each associated with a respectiveadditional interactive element of the attraction and configured totransmit electromagnetic radiation comprising the second frequency thatenables each of the plurality of additional second readers to read thesecond identification information from the second memory; and acomputing system communicatively coupled to the first reader, the secondreader, and the plurality of additional second readers, wherein thecomputing system is configured to determine a total number of userinteractions with the interactive element and the additional interactiveelements based on a total number of user interactions between the secondreader and the second RFID tag and between the plurality of additionalsecond readers and the second RFID tag, and the computing system isconfigured to instruct at least one of the first reader, the secondreader, and the plurality of additional second readers to write dataindicative of the total number of user interactions to a respective oneof the first RFID tag or the second RFID tag; wherein the one or morelight emitters comprise a plurality of light emitters, and themicrocontroller is configured to generate another control signal basedon the data to cause illumination of a number of the plurality of lightemitters, and the number is indicative of the total number of userinteractions with the interactive element and the additional interactiveelements.
 18. A method, comprising: transmitting electromagneticradiation comprising a first frequency from a first reader within anarea of an attraction; transmitting identification information from afirst radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag supported by a wearabledevice to the first reader in response to receipt of the transmittedelectromagnetic radiation comprising the first frequency; receiving, ata microcontroller supported by the wearable device, a signal from thefirst RFID tag, wherein the signal indicates receipt of theelectromagnetic radiation comprising the first frequency at the firstRFID tag; generating a control signal, using the microcontroller and inresponse to receipt of the signal at the microcontroller, wherein thecontrol signal causes one of a plurality of available types ofillumination of one or more light emitters supported by the wearabledevice, wherein the one of the plurality of available types ofillumination of the one or more light emitters supported by the wearabledevice is indicative of the wearable device being within the area of theattraction; transmitting electromagnetic radiation comprising a secondfrequency from a second reader; receiving, at the microcontroller, anadditional signal from a second RFID tag supported by the wearabledevice, wherein the additional signal indicates receipt of theelectromagnetic radiation comprising the second frequency at the secondRFID tag; and generating an additional control signal, using themicrocontroller and in response to receipt of the additional signal atthe microcontroller while receiving the signal at the microcontroller,wherein the additional control signal causes an additional one of theplurality of available types of illumination of the one or more lightemitters supported by the wearable device, wherein the additional one ofplurality of available types of illumination of the one or more lightemitters supported by the wearable device is indicative of a userinteraction with an interactive element within the area.
 19. The methodof claim 18, comprising harvesting power from the transmittedelectromagnetic radiation comprising the first frequency, thetransmitted electromagnetic radiation comprising the second frequency,or both, using a power harvesting circuit of the wearable device andutilizing the harvested power to operate the microcontroller and the oneor more light emitters.
 20. The method of claim 18, comprising: writingdata indicative of a total number of user interactions with theinteractive element and other interactive elements of the attraction toa memory accessible by the microcontroller; and generating anotheradditional control signal, using the microcontroller and in response tothe data being written to the memory, wherein the another additionalcontrol signal causes another one of the plurality of available types ofillumination of the one or more light emitters, and the another one ofthe plurality of available types of illumination of the one or morelight emitters is indicative of the total number of user interactionswith the interactive element and the other interactive elements of theattraction.